Saturday, September 19, 2020

Medication Use ADD ADHD and Risk of Motor Vehicle Crashes

 Is there a relationship between medication use and a LOWER risk of accidents? 

Yes. 

Short term? Yes.

Long-term? Yes.

Men? Yes.

Women? Yes. 

Please take your medicines. 


Association Between Medication Use for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Risk of Motor Vehicle Crashes


Question

Is the use of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medication associated with a reduced risk of motor vehicle crashes in patients with the disorder?

Findings

In a national cohort study of 2 319 450 patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, the use of medication for the disorder was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of motor vehicle crashes in male and female patients.

Meaning

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medication use may lower the risk of motor vehicle crashes, a prevalent and preventable cause of mortality and morbidity among patients with the disorder.

ADHD & Accidents Crashes Violations Suspensions in Motor Vehicles - New Data

 Do teens with ADHD have more accidents? More Moving Violations?

Yes. For Years,


Traffic Crashes, Violations, and Suspensions Among Young Drivers With ADHD

Accidents and Moving Violations in ADHD (purple) vs Control (orange)Allison E. Curry, PhD, MPH,corresponding authora,b Benjamin E. Yerys, PhD,c,d Kristina B. Metzger, PhD, MPH,a Meghan E. Carey, MS,a and Thomas J. Power, PhDb,d

Abstract

Methods: We identified patients of New Jersey primary care locations of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia who were born in 1987-1997, were New Jersey residents, had their last primary care visit at age ≥12 years, and acquired a driver's license (N = 14 936). Electronic health records were linked to New Jersey's licensing, crash, and violation databases. ADHD diagnosis was based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnostic codes. We calculated monthly per-driver rates of crashes (at fault, alcohol related, nighttime, and with peers), violations, and suspensions. Adjusted rate ratios were estimated by using repeated-measures Poisson regression.

Objectives: To compare monthly rates of specific types of crashes, violations, and license suspensions over the first years of licensure for drivers with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Results: Crash rates were higher for drivers with ADHD regardless of licensing age and, in particular, during the first month of licensure (adjusted rate ratio: 1.62 [95% confidence interval: 1.18-2.23]). They also experienced higher rates of specific crash types: their 4-year rate of alcohol-related crashes was 2.1 times that of drivers without ADHD. Finally, drivers with ADHD had higher rates of moving violations (for speeding, seat belt nonuse, and electronic equipment use) and suspensions. In the first year of driving, the rate of alcohol and/or drug violations was 3.6 times higher for adolescents with ADHD.

Conclusions: Adolescents with ADHD are at particularly high crash risk in their initial months of licensure, and engagement in preventable risky driving behaviors may contribute to this elevated risk. Comprehensive preventive approaches that extend beyond current recommendations are critically needed.





https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6564068/figure/fig2/?report=objectonly